Distributed Computing Column 82 Distributed Computability

Overview. In this edition of the column, we have a very useful and interesting piece from Michel Raynal (IRISA Rennes & Hong Kong Polytechnic), whose goal is to provide a systematic view of the computability results in distributed computing which should be well-understood by any Masters-level student with an interest in our area. Michel's motivation for the column is that, given the intense proliferation of computational models, tasks, and correctness and progress conditions in recent years, for instance, in the context of Blockchain technology, it may be hard for newcomers to the field to understand the boundary between what is essentially possible and what is impossible in a distributed system.